Water shortages and hose pipe bans
13 February 2006, 04:30 PM
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Water shortages and hose pipe bans
Who here is affected? I only found out at the weekend that our area is under a ban on hose pipes and only found this out by looking on the website of the water company 
Its been in place since August last year! And apparently will remain in place until at least 2007 unless we get a massive amount of prolonged rainfall 
Isn't it time the water companies started building desalination plants instead of telling us we are desperately short of water even though we live on an island ffs?
Its been in place since August last year! And apparently will remain in place until at least 2007 unless we get a massive amount of prolonged rainfall Isn't it time the water companies started building desalination plants instead of telling us we are desperately short of water even though we live on an island ffs?
13 February 2006, 04:43 PM
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Usual dilemma of cost vs supply - desalination isn't cheap. Most people expect plentiful water at cheap prices. Well, if it doesn't rain, that's going to have to come to an end. Some doomsdayers reckon fresh water will become a more hotly contested commodity than oil..!
13 February 2006, 04:49 PM
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There's plenty of water.. the problem is that the companies haven't spent fck all on maintenance and renewal of the pipework for many years so a significant percentage just drains away ....
13 February 2006, 04:50 PM
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Thats because its been privatised and is profit driven and cost cutting is the only thing the companies are interested in. They should either be forced to build desalination plants or renationalised and controlled by Government. To tell us we don't have enough water when we live on an island is a joke when places like Saudi Arabia have all the fresh drinking water they want simply because they use desalination plants.
13 February 2006, 04:52 PM
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Islands are surrounded by sea water, but that doesn't necessarily imply a limitless amount of *fresh* water, does it? 
Steve, i was under the impression that much of the pipework had now been replaced...no?
Steve, i was under the impression that much of the pipework had now been replaced...no?
13 February 2006, 04:52 PM
#7
About time they started fitting meters in houses so people have an interest in using less water. We've had a meter for 13 years now, and despite having two kids our bills have always been less than the flat rate for the area.
I wonder if the companies have a vested interest in keeping as many people as possible on the flat rate - that way, when there are shortages and they have to tell people to economise, they don't lose any many.
How many people on here are on meters vs still paying a water rate?
I wonder if the companies have a vested interest in keeping as many people as possible on the flat rate - that way, when there are shortages and they have to tell people to economise, they don't lose any many.
How many people on here are on meters vs still paying a water rate?
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13 February 2006, 05:02 PM
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I'm still paying a flat rate and would rather be metered! That way when I turn my bath cold tap on and no water comes out which is what has happened a few times I can't be charged for water I can't use
Tel what I am getting at is there is no reason to tell us we are short of water when all they need to do is to build desalination plants on the coasts and then we have almost an endless supply of water.
Tel what I am getting at is there is no reason to tell us we are short of water when all they need to do is to build desalination plants on the coasts and then we have almost an endless supply of water.
Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 13 February 2006 at 05:04 PM.
13 February 2006, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by TelBoy
Steve, i was under the impression that much of the pipework had now been replaced...no?
This is interesting data btw
http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:...&ct=clnk&cd=27
13 February 2006, 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by **************
Tel what I am getting at is there is no reason to tell us we are short of water when all they need to do is to build desalination plants on the coasts and then we have almost an endless supply of water.
13 February 2006, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by stevem2k
They require a vast amount of energy to run. With oil at $60 a barrel how cost effective are they going to be ?
Relying on reservoirs is a joke as shown by the current state of affairs.
13 February 2006, 05:22 PM
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We have ban here in Sussex and looking grim for this summer. I suspect desal' is very expensive compared to standard treatment; anyone know?
Also option of piping down from North but also expensive capital investment and energy intensive.
Some storage reservoirs are nearly dry and I wonder why they didn't take the opportunity to put in some big earth moving kit and deepen them to increase storage capacity assuming it will rain hard sometime (bearing in mind huge floods a year or so back).
Also option of piping down from North but also expensive capital investment and energy intensive.
Some storage reservoirs are nearly dry and I wonder why they didn't take the opportunity to put in some big earth moving kit and deepen them to increase storage capacity assuming it will rain hard sometime (bearing in mind huge floods a year or so back).
13 February 2006, 05:28 PM
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It might be very expensive but many other countries use this as a solution. Cost to me is why it should be renationalised as its all profit driven and therefore the water companies refuse to spend money on improving the situation. Mending a few pipes here and there which is what the water companies like to quote all the time is not the long term solution!
13 February 2006, 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by **************
I'm still paying a flat rate and would rather be metered! That way when I turn my bath cold tap on and no water comes out which is what has happened a few times I can't be charged for water I can't use
13 February 2006, 05:32 PM
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"Improved technology has led to a drop in the cost of desalinated water from between $1 to $1.50 per cubic metre five years ago, to 70 cents today.
In comparison, the purification of fresh water costs between 25 and 30 cents, excluding the cost of distribution."
======
OK this was just one hit from Google but gives an indication that desalinated is around 3 times more expensive. So a water company could mix it in with the regular supply but the water part of your water bill could easily double.
In comparison, the purification of fresh water costs between 25 and 30 cents, excluding the cost of distribution."
======
OK this was just one hit from Google but gives an indication that desalinated is around 3 times more expensive. So a water company could mix it in with the regular supply but the water part of your water bill could easily double.
13 February 2006, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by **************
Thats because its been privatised and is profit driven and cost cutting is the only thing the companies are interested in.
Much of the profit of these companies is reinvested anyway into mains renewal.
Chip
13 February 2006, 07:01 PM
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I would say that the pipes are still pretty bad as the main near my aunties house has been estimated to have lost 30,000 gallon in the last week and they dont know how long its benn leaking for!
13 February 2006, 08:38 PM
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Chip like I said thats all they quote is how much repair work they have done. Well its certainly not enough is it as water is still in short supply!
As for the hose pipe ban I agree with you Ali-B. They wont even listen to neighbours who grass you up unless you are a persistent user so me washing my bike down once every now and then isn't going to stop me. A quick spray with the hose pipe is a lot less water than all the buckets of water I would use thats for sure.
As for the hose pipe ban I agree with you Ali-B. They wont even listen to neighbours who grass you up unless you are a persistent user so me washing my bike down once every now and then isn't going to stop me. A quick spray with the hose pipe is a lot less water than all the buckets of water I would use thats for sure.
13 February 2006, 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by TelBoy
Islands are surrounded by sea water, but that doesn't necessarily imply a limitless amount of *fresh* water, does it?
Steve, i was under the impression that much of the pipework had now been replaced...no?
Steve, i was under the impression that much of the pipework had now been replaced...no?
13 February 2006, 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by **************
Who here is affected? I only found out at the weekend that our area is under a ban on hose pipes and only found this out by looking on the website of the water company Its been in place since August last year! And apparently will remain in place until at least 2007 unless we get a massive amount of prolonged rainfall
Isn't it time the water companies started building desalination plants instead of telling us we are desperately short of water even though we live on an island ffs?
Its been in place since August last year! And apparently will remain in place until at least 2007 unless we get a massive amount of prolonged rainfall Isn't it time the water companies started building desalination plants instead of telling us we are desperately short of water even though we live on an island ffs?
13 February 2006, 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by OllyK
We have a nice little "spring" in our road. A burst water main that we report on a monthly basis, and have been doing for over 12 months now. They always wait until a rainly day to send out somebody to inspect and so we get a response of "couldn't see any sign of a leak". We aren't the only ones that report it and no doubt this is partly why we have **** poor water pressure despite being half way down a very large hill.
13 February 2006, 11:44 PM
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Desal plants are very energy demanding processes - most are found in oil richcountries as a result. Thames Water want to put one in London but are being blocked by Red Ken due to the energy footprint and their track record in dealing with leakage and resoure demand.
Metering may help the householder cut bills, especially in low household sizes/high rateable properties in the SE, but has minor affect on cutting demand.
David - your right about leaks in dry weather . In wet weather leaks cannot get away in wetter soil and so appear at the surface.
Leaks also tend to be worse in the eraly hours of the morning, when demand is low and water pressure is higher, allowing more flow and also opens up pipe holes.
I have a client (paper mill) in the SE who will have to consider recycling used water in the next 2 years if they want to stay in business.
Householders will similarly be affected - yet Prestcott wants to allow unsustainable development for the area without any regard for such issues.
Nick
Metering may help the householder cut bills, especially in low household sizes/high rateable properties in the SE, but has minor affect on cutting demand.
David - your right about leaks in dry weather . In wet weather leaks cannot get away in wetter soil and so appear at the surface.
Leaks also tend to be worse in the eraly hours of the morning, when demand is low and water pressure is higher, allowing more flow and also opens up pipe holes.
I have a client (paper mill) in the SE who will have to consider recycling used water in the next 2 years if they want to stay in business.
Householders will similarly be affected - yet Prestcott wants to allow unsustainable development for the area without any regard for such issues.
Nick
14 February 2006, 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by David Lock
This could just be groundwater which tracks its way down the road in the pipe trench until it finds an outlet upwards. Does it dry up a bit during dry spells?? Just a thought.
14 February 2006, 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Brendan Hughes
14 February 2006, 10:10 AM
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Im based in Sussex, enfact I can look out of the window and see the sea, but still cant use my hose. Im metered aswell.
I live on a private estate of nosey neighbours and have been reported twice. Got a letter threatening me with a £5000 fine if I continued. But, late at night, when its raining, I sometimes sneak out and wash the car.
However, there's a work around. Ive got an indoor pool, and the ban doesnt cover filling pools at the moment, so in theory I can pump water from my pool, and use that. Just need to find another medium apart from a hose pipe. How about a couple of lengths of copper pipe ? :-)
SBK
I live on a private estate of nosey neighbours and have been reported twice. Got a letter threatening me with a £5000 fine if I continued. But, late at night, when its raining, I sometimes sneak out and wash the car.
However, there's a work around. Ive got an indoor pool, and the ban doesnt cover filling pools at the moment, so in theory I can pump water from my pool, and use that. Just need to find another medium apart from a hose pipe. How about a couple of lengths of copper pipe ? :-)
SBK
14 February 2006, 10:26 AM
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Bob, remember my parents walk the dog around Bewl, they're well aware of how empty it is.
As for where I am - I specifically avoided buying a house along one section of seafront as there have been an explosion of 5-10-storey blocks of apartments going up in the last 10 years. They are all new, all have a wonderful sea view, all are a few minutes' walk from the train and the beach - but no-one considered / gave a FF about upgrading the mains water feed did they? So a system designed to feed 10 000 residents now has to feed maybe 50-70 000. As a result, many colleagues who live there tell me that empty cold taps are a common occurance.
The whole country was suffering from massive drought last year, and there's talk of the Spanish desert creeping westwards as a result, probably into Portugal in the next 20 yrs or so. The demand from increasing tourist development, many with swimming pools, and more and more golf courses to irrigate is also unsustainable.
I'd say the main difference is we have happy blue skies and no rain. You have ****e grey skies and no rain. The result is the same but at least we can handle the side-effects
As for where I am - I specifically avoided buying a house along one section of seafront as there have been an explosion of 5-10-storey blocks of apartments going up in the last 10 years. They are all new, all have a wonderful sea view, all are a few minutes' walk from the train and the beach - but no-one considered / gave a FF about upgrading the mains water feed did they? So a system designed to feed 10 000 residents now has to feed maybe 50-70 000. As a result, many colleagues who live there tell me that empty cold taps are a common occurance.
The whole country was suffering from massive drought last year, and there's talk of the Spanish desert creeping westwards as a result, probably into Portugal in the next 20 yrs or so. The demand from increasing tourist development, many with swimming pools, and more and more golf courses to irrigate is also unsustainable.
I'd say the main difference is we have happy blue skies and no rain. You have ****e grey skies and no rain. The result is the same but at least we can handle the side-effects
14 February 2006, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Simon K
However, there's a work around. Ive got an indoor pool, and the ban doesnt cover filling pools at the moment, so in theory I can pump water from my pool, and use that. Just need to find another medium apart from a hose pipe. How about a couple of lengths of copper pipe ? :-)
SBK
DL (Pond Owner from Sussex
)